Baxter Smith
01-13-2011, 9:35 PM
Ever since taking jr. high shop back in the 60’s, I have wondered what the inside of this burl would look like. For those of you that have been waiting for the last 6 months, you won't have to wait another 6. Just not worth holding your breath!:D
Put it on the workbench yesterday and started contemplating some more. After getting nowhere and noticing there was a thin layer of rot under the bark in many places, I peeled it all off.
177788
Hoped there would be some instructions underneath. No luck. The surface decay seemed pretty thin but widespread so that pretty much ruled out any NE bowls.
Thought the most interesting grain might be near the roots so placed a template there.
177790
That was about as big as I thought I could hollow and still have enough for another decent sized “something”.
Cut it out on the bandsaw and mounted it between centers.
177793
Turned the top first, reorienting the blank several times to stay as close to the top layer as possible but get rid of the rot, or at least most of it.
177791
When it seemed about as good as it was going to get, I flipped it and did the bottom.
177787
The bottom was a little more interesting but turned it again and hollowed it out.
177794
Left it a little over an inch thick in most spots, a little less on top and bottom. Had to enlarge the opening some and make it a little thinner so I could reach the shoulder with the tools I had. Because it was a little over 13” in width, I found a fairly heavy wire and made a big C to use on the parts my various calipers couldn’t reach. I will need to refine both the wire and technique, if I want to finish it without the pierced look! (or get a lazer;))
Found my first pitch pocket in the burl. I am not sure whether to try and dig it out, then put some CA in, or leave it for now. Seems like a possible spot to crack as it drys though I suppose the pitch is an effective sealer. Any thoughts are welcome!
177792
The remaining large section got turned into a 10 inch HF with a more vaselike shape.
Sorry it wasn’t more colorful!
177789
Onion like was about the best way to describe it.
Anticipation is supposed to be half the fun though.
In hindsight, I think I would have just sliced it into more platters to take better advantage of the onion like grain and oval shape of the burl. Guess I will just have to go looking for another one.
No turning today! Couldn’t get motivated for anything more strenuous than cleaning up!
Hope you enjoyed the journey,:) and thanks for getting me started.;)
Put it on the workbench yesterday and started contemplating some more. After getting nowhere and noticing there was a thin layer of rot under the bark in many places, I peeled it all off.
177788
Hoped there would be some instructions underneath. No luck. The surface decay seemed pretty thin but widespread so that pretty much ruled out any NE bowls.
Thought the most interesting grain might be near the roots so placed a template there.
177790
That was about as big as I thought I could hollow and still have enough for another decent sized “something”.
Cut it out on the bandsaw and mounted it between centers.
177793
Turned the top first, reorienting the blank several times to stay as close to the top layer as possible but get rid of the rot, or at least most of it.
177791
When it seemed about as good as it was going to get, I flipped it and did the bottom.
177787
The bottom was a little more interesting but turned it again and hollowed it out.
177794
Left it a little over an inch thick in most spots, a little less on top and bottom. Had to enlarge the opening some and make it a little thinner so I could reach the shoulder with the tools I had. Because it was a little over 13” in width, I found a fairly heavy wire and made a big C to use on the parts my various calipers couldn’t reach. I will need to refine both the wire and technique, if I want to finish it without the pierced look! (or get a lazer;))
Found my first pitch pocket in the burl. I am not sure whether to try and dig it out, then put some CA in, or leave it for now. Seems like a possible spot to crack as it drys though I suppose the pitch is an effective sealer. Any thoughts are welcome!
177792
The remaining large section got turned into a 10 inch HF with a more vaselike shape.
Sorry it wasn’t more colorful!
177789
Onion like was about the best way to describe it.
Anticipation is supposed to be half the fun though.
In hindsight, I think I would have just sliced it into more platters to take better advantage of the onion like grain and oval shape of the burl. Guess I will just have to go looking for another one.
No turning today! Couldn’t get motivated for anything more strenuous than cleaning up!
Hope you enjoyed the journey,:) and thanks for getting me started.;)